Overview
The one real motorcycle-specific cost is for electric bikes: Kentucky's EV ownership fee applies at $63 a year for electric motorcycles (half the $126 charged on electric cars and plug-in hybrids), on top of the standard registration. Everything else - annual property tax, birth-month renewal, county clerk processing - works identically to a car.
01 - Official fees
Kentucky motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle / moped registration | $18.50/yr | |
| Title application fee | $9.00 | |
| Lien filing fee | $22.00 | if financed |
| Usage tax | 6% | of price or NADA retail value, whichever is higher |
| Electric motorcycle fee | $63.00/yr |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county clerk's office (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Kentucky vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Kentucky motorcycle fees FAQ
How much is motorcycle registration in Kentucky?
$18.50 a year - $2.50 less than a passenger car's $21. First-time registration on a purchased bike adds the $9 title fee, plus the same 6% usage tax that applies to cars, based on whichever is higher: your price or the bike's NADA average retail value.
Do motorcycles get the same NADA-value tax rule as cars?
Yes, no exceptions. If you buy a used motorcycle below its NADA book value, the county clerk taxes the higher NADA figure unless your bill of sale supports the lower price - exactly the same rule that applies to any used car.
Do electric motorcycles pay Kentucky's EV fee?
Yes, but at half the car rate: $63 a year versus $126 for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, on top of the standard $18.50 registration. Gas-powered motorcycles pay no extra fee.
Does a motorcycle owe the same annual property tax as a car?
Yes - motorcycles are assessed on their NADA clean-trade value every January 1, at the same 45¢-per-$100 state rate plus your local county/school/city rate, billed with your birth-month registration renewal exactly like a car.
Is there a discount for gifting a motorcycle to family in Kentucky?
Same rule as cars: fully exempt from usage tax if it's a spouse, parent/child, or grandparent/grandchild transfer and the bike was already titled or registered in Kentucky (KRS 138.470(6)). Any other relationship pays full 6% on the NADA value.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.